The Los Angeles headquarters of creative agency BUCK illustrates how an adaptive reuse project can support a flexible workplace while meeting established sustainability benchmarks. Designed by Loescher Meachem Architects (LMA), the renovation converts a six-storey former downtown bank building into a collaborative working environment that reflects BUCK’s global ethos: design excellence, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility.
Sustainable reuse and certification
Occupying four of the six floors, BUCK’s headquarters achieved LEED Gold certification. In this adaptive reuse project, LMA retained the existing concrete structure and much of the building envelope, preserving embodied carbon. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) confirmed that the renovation achieved a low embodied carbon intensity of 19 kg CO₂e/m², compared to an estimated 230–320 kg CO₂e/m² for new construction.
Energy and resource performance
Mechanical and electrical systems were optimised to improve efficiency within the constraints of the existing building. The project reports 21 percent lower energy consumption compared to the ASHRAE baseline, 19 percent energy cost savings, and an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 30 kBtu/ft².
Mechanical upgrades included reuse of the existing water-cooled chiller and cooling tower, supplemented by heat pumps and variable frequency drives for pumps and fans.
Lighting design primarily uses LED fixtures, contributing to a reported 50 percent reduction in interior lighting energy use. This is supported by improved daylight access (sDA ≥ 50 percent) and daylight sensors. Water conservation measures include low-flow plumbing fixtures, which reduce indoor water use by 41 percent.
Healthy interiors and material strategy
The material palette prioritises durability and consistency across interior spaces. Materials were specified with reference to Environmental Product Declarations or equivalent third-party certifications where available. Regional suppliers and materials with verified sustainable attributes were used where possible, minimising transportation emissions and supporting material traceability.
People, culture, and place
The headquarters is organised to support collaboration, shared use, and well-being. A new three-storey central stair connects all four floors and provides a primary circulation route. An indoor-outdoor lounge on the top floor, accessed through bi-fold doors, offers external access and panoramic views. Flexible workstations, modular booths, and open gathering areas allow spaces to be reconfigured as needed.
